Buckle



Feb. 24, 1942. P. w; WHITE BUCKLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 19, 1938 Feb. 24, 1942. P. w. WHITE Re. 22,040

BUCKLE Original Filed Sept. l9, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Reissued Feb. 24, 1942 3 Paul W. Parva Original No.

Serial No.

12 Claims.

This invention relates to buckles and has special reference to devices adapted to be mounted on straps, bands or the like, for the support of garments or other objects on the person.

More particularly, this invention relates to a slide buckle comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation including co-operating cross bars for clamping a strap in adjusted positionstherebetween upon a relative longitudinal movement of the frames, one of the co-operating cross bars having a cover of resilient material for engaging the strap.

Further, the present invention contemplates the securing of one end of a strap to a second cross bar of one of the frames, the strap passing behind the co-operating cross bar of that frame for attachment to an article to be supported or passing through a loop secured to an article to be supported with the free end of the strap passing between the co-operating cross bars to be clamped in adjusted positions.

The device of the present invention may be adapted for use in various connections and as a matter of fact the construction may be employed with slight variations not departing from the spirit of this invention universally where detachable connections are desired. Hereafter, and in the drawings, the device will be described and shown in its association with a strap for attachment to lingerie, for encircling the leg as a hose supporter, for use as a Suspender, or for detachable engagement with a button extending from garments of various characters. It is, of course, uses may be mentioned and this invention is notto be limited to any single specific use.

The buckles contemplated herein are adapted for use with straps or like material varying materially in thickness. so constructed that it will successfully operate on straps varying substantially one hundred per cent in thickness and will not slip over the usual Wearing conditions due to a positive wedge-like grip obtained between the frame members. The grip is preferably obtained automatically by the tension applied to the strap in its use as a suspender, garter or the like, and an adjustment little effort. I

As above stated, when tension is applied to the longitudinal movement of the frame is obtained and this movement direc'tscooperating bars into engagement with each other.

to be understood that various other Each buckle construction is of the buckle on the strap may be made with UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUCKLE White, Waterbury, Products Company, ,poration of Delaware Conn, assignor to Chicago, 111., a cordated October 29, 1940,;

230,618, September cation for reissue October 23,

19, 1938. Appli- 1941, Serial No.

fabric strip looped around one of One of the co-operating bars is provided with a cover of resilient material between which and the other co-operating bar the strap is clamped. This resilient material may be in the form of a fabric, one of the most resilient fabrics, of course, being elastic of the ordinary suspender or garter type, and one of the lesser reslient fabrics being silk or ordinary tape.

When tension is applied to the strap, the cooperating bars are wedged together and are held in that wedged condition by the continued tension of the strap, but upon release of the tension the resiliency of the strap seeks to return the cooperating bars to a position where the clamping action is not nearly so great. That is, the fabric is under compression during the period of tension when the tension is relieved the compressed material seeks to return to a normal condition and tends to effect a separation of the co-operating cross bars. Thus, when it is desired to adjust the position of the frames of the buckle with respect to the strap, the co-operating cross bars are not locked to'such a great extent that they are not readily movable and an adjustment therefore may be obtained very easily.

In the usual form of construction, an ordinary strap is gripped or clamped between two metallic cross bars and after tension is applied to the strap to effect a clamping engagement between the frames on the strap a subsequent adjustment is not readily obtained because little co-operation may be had from the member clamped. e locked condition is only relieved by manual movement of the frames. In the present construction employing an elastic or fabric strap, such manual movement of the frame members relative to each other is not necessary since the frames are automatically relieved to such an extent that they may be adjusted together along the strap. This conditionis pronounced in the form wherein a covering of resilient material is disposed about the cross bar and the resilient material engages one face of the strap, the other face of the strap engaging the cross bar of the other frame.

The resilient material employed as a covering for the cross bar of one of the frames may be aportion of the strap which is threaded between the .co-op'erating cross bars or it may be a separate the and attached directly to the garment to be sup first mentioned instance the strap bar of one or the the co-op'erating ported. In the may extend around the cross frames and directed between cross bars from a looped portion of the strap to be Other objects and advantages of this invention clamped thereby, the loop being employed as a will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out other member secured to the garment to be supcharacteristic features of this invention referported with the free end of the strap passing ence may now be had to the following descripthrough a slot in the other of the frames and extion when taken together with the accompanytending upwardly therefrom for encircling the ing drawings, in which latter leg of a user or passing over a shoulder of the Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views user in whatever respect it is worn. In the second illustrating the threading of the various forms instance of use where a separate strip of fabric of buckles embodying the features of this inven-. is employed to extend around one of the cotion;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the buckle garment to be supported, a strap extends from embodiment shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings its position over the shoulders or about the leg w h a fr m y p n of the strap threaded through the slot of the other frame and between therethroughl the co-operating cross bars with the free end Fig. 7 is an enlarged central vertical sectional hanging straight downwardly. view taken on the line l-1 of Fig. 6;

One embodiment of this invention consists in Fi 8 is a p rspe iv vi w f h il-op ra n the provision of side bars and cross bars formin buckle frames of Fig. '7, the f m being p at least one slot in each of the frames with 00- a d; operating cross bars for clamping a strap in ad- Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Justed positions therebetween by a relative lon- Fi 7 of the modified form of buckle construcanchoring one end of the strap or a separate Fig. 10 is a perspe tive view of the frame membe s of the buckle shown in Fig. 9, the frames secured to the cross bar passes behind the other being shown in a disassembled elat on;

cross bar or strap-engaging bar so that the back Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view similar of the buckle is entirely covered by fabric. In to Fig. 9 of the embodiment shown n i 3 f this manner no metal or hard substance is exthe drawings, incorporating the features of this posed to rub against the clothes in the instance invention;

of use as a Suspender, or against the leg in the Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the frame memcase of a hose supporter or mens garter. bers of Fig. 11, the frames being shown in a dis- When one end of the strap or when a separate assembled relation; 4

piece of fabric is employed about the gripping Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the modibar of one of the frames that material cannot fied form' of buckle construction illustrated in often the case when ribbon is wrapped about a as mounted on a fragment of a strap bar. The ribbon or strap is held in place by the Fig. 14 is an enlarged central vertical sectional gripping bar which grips both the strap that view taken on the line |4I4 of Fig. 13;

is anchored through as well as the strap that Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the frame 111cmpasses therebetween. The strap in both inbers of Fig. 14, the members being shown in a stances is held smooth and tight. disassembled relation;

In all instances the back of the strap hides Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view similar the buckle from view with the exception of a to Fig. 14 of the buckle shown in Fig. 5 of the thin margin on each side thereof. This is a disdrawings, incorporating the features of this intinct advantage in connection with lingerie, vention; and corselets, brassires and other dainty wear where Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the frame memevery effort is made to make the adjustment bers of Fig. 16, the members being shown in a hardware as inconspicuous as possible. 0 disassembled condition.

One of the objects of this invention is to pro- Referring now to the drawings and more parvide a'buckle of the character indicated above ticularly to Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8 thereof, the conoonv i y d easily djusted in either direcbeing substantially rectangular and having side tion. bars 22 and 23 connected by cross bars 24 and Another object of this invention is to provide 25. The cross bar 24 extends preferably laterally a buckle having relatively slidable frame memout of the normal plane of the frame to receive bers as hereinabove pointed out in which a minithe looped end of a strap 26 which is secured mum of the buckle is exposed to view and the thereto preferably by stitching. The cross bar back of the frames are covered by a portion of 25 is provided with an inclined surface 21 exthe strap. tending in the opposite direction to the effect A further object of this invention is to provide of the bar 24, the upper edge of the inclined a buckle ha n r la ively slidable frame memsurface having a notch 28 disposed substantially bers of the type hereinabove described-in which centrally thereof. one of he c p in r s ar clampin lv The frame 2| is likewise substantially rectanen agin e Strap is covered with a resilient gular in shape and comprises spaced side bars material to prevent sliding or bunching of the 29 and 30 connected by cross bars 3!, 32 and strap on one side of the frame. 33 defining substantially rectangular slots 34 and It is also an Obj c of th s invention to p 35. The side bars 29 and 30 are preferably of vide a buckle having relatively slidab e f ame channel-shaped cross section to receive in slidmembers in which the construction may be relaable engagement therewith the side bars 22 and tively inexpensive to manufacture, may be dur- 23 of th frame 29, able, d may be S ple in construction in The cross bar 32 is provided with an inwardly directed projection 36 in the path of movement threading and in manipulation. I 7

of the notch 28 of the inclined bar 211; for limiting, the: relative longtudi'nal movement" of" the; frames: in one direction. A strap 31 of fabric, elastic or other resilient material, is threaded behind; the

bar 3| forwardly through the slot- 34 over the bar 32- and rearwardl y therefrom through the slot 35 between the cross bar 33 and the inclined cross bar 21 with the free end hanging downwardl y therefrom.

The frame members 2|! and 2| when in an assembl'ed condition co-operate to clamphe strap 31 various adjusted positions. In Fig. '1- thethe co-operating cross bars 21 and 33, there being a tension on the strap 31 in the direction of the arrow A against the strap 26 supporting an object" affording resistance in the direction of the arrow B- for directing a relative longitudinal movement of the frame members in opposite directions. The frame 2| moves upwardly with the strap 31 and the frame remain in a fixed position relative to'the article to be supported.

In the instance of Fig. 1, the looped strap 26 is secured to a slip 38 by means of the stitches 39. The frame having the cross bars' 24 and 21 faces front with the. free end of the strap 31' passing to the rear of the slip 38. The cross bar 3| is hidden from view by the strap 3-1 and the cross bars 24 and 21 are hidden from View by that is exposed to view is the extending side edges 29 and which, of course, is not particularly objectionable. The present embodiment of buckle may, however, be employed with straps in the manner illustrated in any of the other figures of the drawings, it being considered not desirable nor essential to repeat various manners of attaching straps to articles.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2', 9 and 1.0, the construction therein shown comprises a pair of frame members 40 and 4|, the frame member 40 being substantially rectangular, having side bars 42 and 43 connected by cross bars 44, 45 and 46 defining substantially rectangular erably of channel-shaped cross section to act as guideways and the cross bar 45 is split to facilitate threading of a strap through the slots 41 and 48.

The frame 4| is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises side bars 49 and 50 connected by a cross bar 5| which latter is inand thereby lies in a plane across the path of The side bars 49 and 5D are'received in the channel-shaped guides of the side bars 42 and 43 to direct a relative longitudinal movement of the frames 46 and 4|.

the frame 4| co-operates with the cross bar 46 of the frame 40" to clampingly hold a strap 52' of fabric, elastic or other resilient material, therebetween, the strap extending behind the cross bar 44 forwardly through the slot 41 over the cross bar 45 and rearwardly therefrom through the slot 48 between the cooperating cross bars 46 and 5| with the free end extending below the frames. In this embodiment the strap 52, after looped through an eyelet 53 and extends to be of the strap being stitched as at'54 in a fixed relation with the gripping bar 5|. A looped strap 55, secured by means of stitches 56 to a slip or strap is shown as being clampinglly held between a the fabric piece 26. The only part of the buckle slots 41 and 4B. The side bars 42 and 43 are pref-- clined with respect to the plane of the frames movement of the cross bar 46 of the frame 46.

The inclined cross bar or gripping bar 5| of passing through the frames, is shown as being wrapped around the gripping bar 5|, the free end new 3 the like 51... likewise passes: through the eyelet. 53. Referring now more particularly tor Fig. 9, it will be noted that; the strap 52 is: employed as a covering" for the gripping bar5| and engages another portion of the strap 52 when the gripping bar 5| co-operates with the crossbar 46 to clampingly' hold the strap between the frame members as tension is applied to the strap by weight of r the: article tosupported. The strap 52' when employed: for use as a suspender, supporter; garter or the like, is preferably of elastic, and when used supporting lingerie, corselets', brassi'res and the like, is'pref'erabl y of silk, tapeor the like. Irr either instance, however, the material is more 1 or less: resilientand so long as tension is applied. to the strap, a-wed-ge-like grip is retained on the strap between the gripping bar 51 and the cooperating cross bar 46. However, upon release of tension the elastic material seeks to return to its normal condition and automatically overcomes the wedge-like grip. so that the slidabl y engaged framesof thebuckle can bereadily adjusted.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3, 1'1 and 12, the buckle therein shown comprises a pair of frame members 58 and 59 the frame member 58 being of substantially" rectangular shape and having side bars 60 and 6| connected by spaced cross bars 62 and 63 to define a substantially rectangular slot 64. The side bars 60 and 6| are preferably provided with integrally formed spaced ledges 60a and 61a respectively to form channels to act as guides to receive inslidable engagement therewith the: frame 59, as will hereinafter be more particularly described.

The frame preferably comprises a pair of side bars 65 and 66' connected by a cross bar 61. The: side bars 65 and 66 slidably engage the channel guideways of the side bars and 6| of the frame 56* so as" to provide relative longitudinal movement between the frames 58* and 59.

- The cross bar 62' of the frame 58 is preferably inclined with respect to the normal plane of the frame: 58 as determined by the channel-shaped guides of the side bars 60 and 6|. The cross bar 61 preferably lies in the plane of the side bars and. 66, and the inclined cross bar 62. extends in a plane across the path of movement of the cross bar 61 as shown more particularly in Figs. 3

andll.

A strap 68 of fabric, elastic or other resilient material, extends between the inclined cross bar 62 and the cross bar 61 and through the slot 64 over the cross bar 63, the free end being looped back upon itself and passing around the cross bar 61 to be secured thereto by st'tches 69. The loop of the strap 68, as shown in Fig. 3, passes through the. eye of a fastener 10, the f tener 16 in turn being detachably connected on a stud Tl secured to lingerie or' the like 12. This connection with an article to be supported is merely illustrative of one of the many forms of attachment to which the present buckle may be adapted.

Referring now'more particularly to- Figs. 4, 13, 1a and 15, the buckle shown therein comprises a M, pair of slidably engaged frames 13 and 14 disposed in a face-to-face relation, the frame 13 being of substantially rectangular formation having spaced'cross bars 15, 16 and 1! connecting side bars I8- and 19 to form substantially rectangular slots and 8|. The cross bars 15,, I6 and T1 are formed preferably in an arcuate plane so that as will hereinafter more particularly be pointed out, the cross bar 11 will lie in an inclined plane relative to the normal, plane of the frame. The side bars 18 and 19 are provided plane of the frame. The cross bar 11, as above stated, 1s inclined with respectto bar 86 of the frame 14. A strap 81 of fabric, elastic material,

cross bar 13 and the cross bar 16 and 8| between the cross The cross bar 06 co-operates with the cross bar stitched as at 89 to a slip or the like 90 with the intermediate portion thereof looped about the bar 06. The strap 81 therefore is gripped between the inclined cross bar 11 and covering material 88 of the cross bar 86.

more particularly pointed out. The side bars 93 and 94 are provided with integrally formed flanges I and MI spaced from the frame and frames BI and 92.

The frame 92 is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises side bars I02 and I03 connected by cross bars I04 and I05. The cross bar I04 is offset outwardly in a direction away from the frame 9| when in an assembled condition while the cross bar I05 extends in the plane of the frame.

cross bar I 05, the I05 co-operating to clamp a relative longitudicross bars 91 and strap I01 therebetween upon nal movement between the frames 9| and 92, the strap beingof fabric, elastic or resilient material.

The frames longitudinal I03, the latter ating cross bars 91 and I05. The strap, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5, thereafter passes from the frame to a looped portion, the free end hind one of the c0-operating cross bars for attachment to a separate cross bar.

While several embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, it is to be underclaims.

I claim:

cooperating cross strap, said cover tween said co-operating cross bars.

3. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, including co-operating cross bars. on said frames, one of said co-operatingcross bars be ing inclined in a plane across the path of movement of the cooperating cross bar on the other frame to clamp a strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon a relative longitudinal movement of said frames, and a cover of elastic material for one of said co-operating cross bars for engagement with said strap, said cover and strap being clamped between said co-operating cross bars.

4, A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, one of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining an opening for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, the other of said frames including a cross bar for co-operating with one of said cross bars on the other frame, one of said co-operating cross bars being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of the other cooperating cross bar to clamp said strap in adjusted positions therebetween upon a relative longitudinal movement of said frames, and a cover of resilient material for one of said co-operating cross bars for engagement with said strap, said cover and strap being clamped between said cow operating cross bars,

engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, one of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining an opening for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, the other of said frames including a cross bar for co-operating with one of said cross bars on the other frame, one of said cooperating cross bars being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of the other cooperating cross bar to clamp said strap in adjusted positions therebetween upon a relative longitudinal movement of said frames, and a fabric strip secured to an article to be supported and looped around one of said co-operating cross bars for engagement with said strap, said strip and strap being clamped between said co-operating cross bars.

6. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, one of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross through, the other of said frames including a cross bar cooperating with one of said cross bars on the other frame, one of said co-operating cross bars being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of the other co-operating cross bar, and a strap enveloping one of said co-operating cross bars and extending therefrom into a loop portion and thereafter between said co-operating cross bars to be clamped thereby upon relative longitudinal'movement of said frames.

"I. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, one of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars defining an opening therethrough, the other of said frames including a gripping bar cooperating with one of said cross bars on the other frame, one of said co-operating bars being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of the other co-operating bar, and a strap having one end enveloping and being secured to said gripping bar and extending therefrom into a loop portion and thereafter between said gripping bar and said co-operating cross bar to be clamped thereby upon relative longi- 5. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably bars defining an opening there- I tudinal movement of said frames, the free end of the strap passing through the opening in the frame.

8;, A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining slots, a cross bar on one of said frames being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of one of the cross bars of the other frame to cooperate therewith to' clamp a strap threaded therethrough in various positions of adjustment, and a fabric strip enveloping one cross bars of one of the framesv therefrom beyond the other cross frame for attachment with an ported.

9. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, one of saidframes having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining a pair of openings to receive a strap threaded therethrough, the second of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars, a cross bar of one of said frames being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of said frames for co-operation with a cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween-in adjusted positions upon a relative longitudinal movement of said frames, said inclined cross bar having a notch for engaging a stop in a cross bar of the other of said frames to limit the relative movement of the frames in one direction and the co-operating cross bars limiting the relative movement of the frames in the other direction, one end of said strap being secured to the cross bar of the second frame and extending behind the co-operating cross bar of that frame to form a loop and therefrom between the co-operating cross bars through the openings of the first frame.

10. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, one of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining a pair of openings to receive a strap article to be supthreaded therethrough, the second of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars, a cross bar of one of said frames being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of said frames for co-operation with a cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon a relative longitudinal movement of said frames, said inclined cross bar and a second cross bar on the other of said frames engaging to limit the relative movement of the frames in one direction and the co-operating cross bars limiting the relative movement of the frames in the other direction.

11. A slide buckle, comprising a ably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, one of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining a pair of openings to receive a strap threaded therethrough, the second of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars, a cross bar of one of said frames being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of said frames for co-operation with a cross bar of the other of said frames pair of slidto clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adrelative longitudinal said frames, and interengaging justed positions upon a movement of bar of that s 6 22,046 means including a part on one frame projecting tion with a cross bar of the other of said frames into the path of movement of the other frame to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in for limiting the relative movement of the frames adjusted positions upon a relative longitudinal in one direction, said co-operating cross bars movement of said frames, and interengaging limiting the relative movement of the frames 5 means including a part on one frame proJecting in the other direction. into the path of movement of the other frame 12. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidfor limiting the relative movement of the frames ably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relain one direction, said co-operating cross bars tion, one of said frames having space 've movement of the frames in tween the co operating cross bars through the frame.

PAUL W. WHITE. 

